Popular Colors and Markings of Chihuahua Dogs

The Chihuahua dog breed comes in many different sizes and shapes, but what shows the variety of the dogs are the Chihuahua’s different markings and colors. It is quite remarkable how a small cute dog like the Chihuahua and Teacup Chihuahua can have so many variations of color and markings.

Classifying and categorizing the different kinds of Chihuahua markings and Chihuahua colors does have a practical purpose. Dog organizations like the American Kennel Club (AKC) organizes the Chihuahua markings and Chihuahua colors to identify which colors, as well as markings, is officially recognized by said organizations and which are not unofficial or not accepted ones.

For the average person who wants to own a Chihuahua or a Teacup Chihuahua knowing about the colors and pattern varieties of the dog breed can be used for eye candy purposes. Each potential owner of a Chihuahua dog has his/her preference for what kind color or pattern he/she likes. Below is a listing of the different types of Chihuahua markings and Chihuahua colors. All these colors and markings can be found in either a long-haired or short-haired Chihuahua, and some of them are not officially acknowledged as the breed’s colors as well as markings by dog organizations.

Chihuahua Markings

Tri-colored – This refers to a Chihuahua’s coat that is a combination of three kinds of colors. Primary colors you can find in this marking are variations of brown and black with a shade of tan present in the dog’s ears, belly, eyes, legs and tip of the tail. Its underside is white as well as having spots of white or blaze on its face.

Piebald – Also known as Pied to some people. A Chihuahua with this marking has color only on its head, tail base and a small part of its back while the rest of its coat is white. The white coloring of the dog is due to the lack of pigments in the dog’s hair. The Black Mask Piebald is another version of this marking

Splashed– Compared to other Chihuahua markings this particular marking has lots of colors and looks like it has been “splashed” all over the dog’s solid-colored coat. Though there are a lot of colors in a Splashed marking the more standard colors you’d see is white or tan. Some examples are Blue & Tan, Black & Red, and Fawn & White.

Irish Marked – A Chihuahua or Teacup Chihuahua that has this kind of marking possess a coat that is of any darker color combined with a chest, neck ring, legs and a blaze that is colored white. Note that the neck ring pattern of the dog is either a full ring or a half ring.

Merle – Some people often mistake this marking as a color. It is just a pattern that has colors looks marbled or mottled in the dog’s coat. A Merle Chihuahua dog has eyes that are uniquely-colored or blue-colored.

Brindle – The markings of a Brindle coat looks like streaks and stripes that tend to be darker than the dog’s base coat. Any person looking at a Brindle Chihuahua might think that the dog looks like a tiger. Hence, its other name “tiger striped”.

Sable – Sable pattern can be found in any Chihuahua breed, though it is more prevalent with long-haired coat Chihuahuas. The hair on the dog’s top coat is darker compared to the bottom part of the coat. In some cases, the hair is darker at the top shaft while the bottom is lighter in color. The top coat’s color is blue, black, brown or chocolate though Black is the standard color.

There are other Chihuahua markings and patterns, but since the majority of these markings and patterns are similar or redundant, they are not important to list here.

Chihuahua Colors

There are many Chihuahua colors examples, but the lists of colors below as the well-known and prevalent color samples.

Cream – To the casual observer it almost looks like White. There are also actual White color markings on the cream-colored coat sometimes.

Fawn – This is the typical color that one would usually see in the dog’s coat. Additionally, this color is very popular and when one mentions the word “Chihuahua” this color is the one that comes to mind for most people.

Red – This color often varies from one Chihuahua to another. Some Red colors may look almost like Orange while some tend to be darker that cream and there is also a dark Red color.

Sable Fawn – A variation of the Fawn color. When the dog’s undercoat is lighter in color compared to the top layers of its hair sable fawn color is the result. The Sable color is Blue, Brown, Chocolate and Black, which is the most common.

Gold – The actual color doesn’t look like Gold. It’s more like a dark amber color or honey color.

Fawn & White – The head, neck, chest and feet of the dog has White markings while the rest of the coat is Cream color.

Chocolate and Tan with White – An excellent example of several colors mixed in a Tri-colored pattern. The primary color is Chocolate with Tan on the cheeks, eyes, legs with a combination of white on the dog’s face, chest, and legs.

Black & Tan – The Chihuahua’s coat is all black except for the cheeks, chest, legs, the area above the eyes and the tail’s underside.

Chocolate and Tan – Same as Black & Tan with the Chocolate color replacing Black.

Chocolate and White – Depending on each dog, the Chocolate color is either solid or is mixed with White markings around the dog’s face, chest, and legs.

Black and White – As the name suggests, the Chihuahua has only two colors. Black is the predominant color while the face, chest, and legs are White.

Blue and Tan with White – Another example of the Tri-colored pattern. The dog’s coat is Blue all over except for the eyes, back, and legs which are Tan while the face and the underside of the tail are White. Chest and legs are either Tan or White.

Black Spotted on White – The dog is White in color with splashes or marking in Black. Sometimes a Tan color is mixed making it into a Tri-colored pattern.

Blue – Not an actual Blue color in spite of the name. It is simply Black that has been diluted mixed with other color markings. A real Blue Chihuahua has noses, nails, feet pads and eye rims that are Blue.

Blue and White – Expect for the face, chest, legs and tail which is White, the rest of the coat is mostly Blue.

What is considered to be the rarest of Chihuahua colors?

White is the rarest color or to be more specific a pure White Chihuahua. To be considered as an actual White Chihuahua there should be no trace of Cream or Fawn on their coat. The only colored parts are the nose and toenails which are Black while the eyes and nose are either Pink or Beige.

The color variety of the color and markings on a Chihuahua gives it an aesthetic look. Still no matter what the color and markings, the Chihuahua is fun, cute and loving dog pet. It doesn’t matter as to what does the Chihuahua looks likes. The important thing to remember is to give the give the love, care, and companionship that every pet needs.

Literally filled out 11 applications and tried to adopt a Chihuahua from all the shelters and rescues in my state and couldn’t get anyone to approve me to adopt one. Even being willing to pay hundreds for the vetting and adoption fees to them. I still to this day have no idea why it is so hard to adopt. We have a very nice,clean and spacious home and no other pets. It was insane i even agreed to allow people to come in our home and do an inspection and meet us because several require that. It didnt make a difference… in the end we purchased 2 chi puppies from 2 different breeders. One in state and one out of state. We could not be happier with them but they are expensive dogs and require a lot of time and attention.

We rescued a chi and love love him. He was nearly starved and flea infested. Oh, also terrible worms. A few trips to the vet and groomer he’s gained 5 pounds ( was 1.4 oz). He is the love of our life, so recommend adoption or rescue. They love unconditionally.

We too rescued a Chi. She is 18 months and we are the third home (final). Lollypop was very underweight, unspayed, and still has puppy teeth that are rotting. They will not spay or do dental until she gains weight. First day adopted, she went into heat. We have had her for three weeks and she has stolen our hearts. She is quite the barker so we will have to work on that. I concur with you that rescue is the way to help this breed. Best wishes fellow rescuer! Don’t Shop-Adopt!!

Only pit bulls exceed chi in dogs put to sleep in county shelters…check out your local shelters. I have seen every type of chi in our shelter. I am a rescue volunteer…..chi’s are often misunderstood and frightened in shelters. Save a life.

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My little female long haired Chi is the prettiest little thing-she’s only about 2.5 lbs. She’s so spunky and loving. Many people think Chi’s are mean, but they aren’t if you socialize them early and often!

I’ve always considered myself a “cat” person but a week ago this Sunday will be one week since I adopted my little boy Chihuahua. He was a rescue and he is the best little guy. What a great little personality he has. Please consider adopting a Chi. I can honestly say he has changed my life oh his name is Pesci

I live in Canada & the chi’s are so expensive here. I would love to have one but can’t afford it It’s sad as I’m sure a lot of people would buy a chi if they were less expensive. Pretty much $1000 here.

I adopted a Chihuahua last summer with unique markings. She appears to be all black. However, over the winter (Minnesota) some lighter fawn like coloring has appeared on the sides of her neck and in strips behind her shoulders. Love her to death, just curious of her pedigree. She was found roaming the streets of Phoenix in a pack of Chihuahuas.

I have 2 female chihuahuas. A mother and I kept one of the 4 puppies she had in 2011. They are my babies. They are so protective of myself, my husband and our daughters. They are very loving dogs. I wouldn’t know what to do without them.

I have 3 Chi’s. 1.An 12year old Apple head, smooth coat, tri-colored female(Alpha). She weighs 6 pounds and her name is Chiquita. 2. A 9 year old deer type long coat, lavender colored sable, fat boy. He weighs about 12 pounds. He is sweet and gentle. His name is Jose~ Cuervo. 3. Then finally, one of the babies of #1 & #2. He is a red sable long coat, deer type Chi. He’s 7 years old and a grouchy. He weighs around 5 pounds. He wants to be the Alpha dog. His name is Tank. I didn’t see Jose~ color (Lavender) listed in the colors. At first, I thought he was blue, but our vet sad that he is lavender. He told us that lavender colored Chihuahuas are rare.

I have a pup that i have never found a pic of her colors. Eventho they Will not be sold, i would like to know what shes worth. We had 2 and bith are promised to a ciuple of friends that lost their babies and they are very dear friends. Im even having them fixed before they go to their homes. I know what ine is worth but i dont on the other. Can u help me with this? Just a balloark figure…